The NBA and the NFL are polar opposite leagues. Their respective drafts themselves are a microcosm of this contrast. The NBA drafting process is fairly straightforward. All 5 positions more or less hold equal value. So, not accounting for team fit, the final draft board becomes a linear hierarchy of skill in descending order. The best player goes 1st, next best goes 2nd and so on. Conversely, the NFL Draft isn’t a meritocracy such as this. It’s more nuanced because of certain positions being more valuable than others. Under normal circumstances, you can’t quite justify drafting, say, a tight end over an EDGE. However, some players are so good they break convention and become exceptions to the norm. That’s the case with TE1 in this draft class, Tyler Warren. A stud touted to be a top-10 pick. But whom to? Aaron Glenn’s Jets are linked, but are seemingly pivoting away
It’s not every day that a tight end carries the offense at a blue-chip program like Penn State to the CFP semifinals. But Tyler Warren did. For the uninitiated ones unfamiliar with his game, the stats back the eye test. His production in 2024 exceeded anything his contemporary TEs in the Power 4 could put up. Warren posted north of 1200 yards, which came on just shy of 12 yards/reception. He’s legit, and warrants a top-10 pick. Conceded, drafting this non-premium position that high can be ill-informed. But didn’t Brock Bowers bury some of that prejudice after last season? Akin to the Raiders, the Jets also need someone who can resuscitate the offense back to life. That might be a tall task from TE, but Warren’s capable. Yet, one Jets fan/insider thinks first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and the front office will head down a different route.
The New York Jets have been stuck in NFL purgatory for the longest time. In the past half-decade or so, they’ve drafted quarterbacks in the top-3 twice and missed on both occasions. They’ve even tried the absolute opposite spectrum- a bonafide legend and future HOFer in the twilight of his career, ala Aaron Rodgers. Nothing seems to get the Jets out of this abyss of mediocrity. Now, they’re trying the middle ground with Justin Fields. Stabilize. The 2-year, $40 million deal they extended to him isn’t a home-run certainty of his future in NY by any stretch. But it is a vote of confidence. That said, Fields needs help. Tyler Warren helps in the running game, Fields’ forte, as well as the passing game. But if there’s one thing a QB needs more than skill-position guys, it’s protection on the O-line. Jake Asman reckons they’ll draft an OT 7th overall.
Appearing on the Badlands YouTube channel, Jake Asman was asked to give a verdict on the biggest conundrum weighing over the fanbase and likely even Aaron Glenn. Who’s the pick- Tyler Warren, or Missouri tackle Armand Membou? “It’s the betting favorite right now, [and] I think it’s going to be Armand Membou,” remarked Asman. Primarily a right tackle at Mizzou, there’s been discourse about Membou transitioning over to the left in the NFL. Since that’s the more important of the two sides, protecting the blindside of right-handed quarterbacks. If Membou indeed can make that transition, he’s a homerun pick at #7 for Aaron Glenn. Anybody unsure about this force of nature can look at his 40-yard dash at the Combine. Tremors were felt at Lucas Oil Stadium as this 332lb man mountain ran a 4.91. All while screaming across the finish line. Justin Fields can’t lose either way.
Offense isn’t his bread and butter, but Aaron Glenn knows how important it is to build a team inside out. Football’s won and lost in the trenches. Prioritizing the line of scrimmage rather than a TE is valid. However, Tyler Warren is arguably the better prospect of the two. This does make the dilemma more difficult to resolve. It’s not an indictment, but whether Membou can play left tackle will really dictate a lot. Alas, at least Jets fans don’t have another Zach Wilson or Sam Darnold situation brewing. Aaron Glenn has made his bed with Justin Fields for 2025. The Jets, almost certainly, aren’t in the sweepstakes for a quarterback in round 1. However, their plans still get affected by where and when other franchises pick QBs. There’s reason to believe the latest revelation around Jaxson Dart will have a butterfly effect on the Jets.
Cloud over Aaron Glenn’s plans for or even outside of Tyler Warren and Armand Membou
Jaxson Dart is almost unanimously considered the 3rd best QB prospect in this draft class of ‘25. But since it’s also perceived as a weak class for at the quarterback position, he’s been fluctuating between a projected first and second round pick. Say he was trending towards being a Day 1 guy. It opens avenues for the Jets to trade back from #7 in case a QB-needy franchise decides to trade up ahead of the Saints at #9. Who are also linked with Dart. Trading back could be a shrewd move when there’s a desperate team reciprocating more draft capital than the 7th pick holds value. But this scenario depends on Dart being a round 1 pick. Which, after his latest announcement, seems very unlikely.
After initially accepting an invitation to the green room, Jaxson Dart has rescinded his name from the list. He won’t be present in Green Bay on Day 1. This is a huge tell-tale sign that he and his camp believe he’s not getting picked. If Dart slides to round 2, it’s difficult to see any scenario where the Jets can convince a franchise to trade with them. If, of course, they even want to. Trading back likely means they don’t get Tyler Warren or Armand Membou
With mere days left to the draft, it does seem like Aaron Glenn’s decision has condensed down to Warren and Membou. Each has its perks, and they can’t really go wrong either way. But expecting things to be as straightforward as this for the Jets is naive. When have things ever been so smooth, so seamless for them? Jaxson Dart is just one potential spanner in the works. Jets fans will hope the draft gods are in their favor on April 24th.
The post Aaron Glenn’s Jets Could Ditch Tyler Warren for 332 lbs R1 Pick as Jaxson Dart’s Announcement Shakes Up Draft Plans appeared first on EssentiallySports.
